Bill > H1578

This bill establishes comprehensive background check requirements for individuals applying to Massachusetts housing programs, which include public housing, rental assistance, and transitional housing services. The legislation mandates that all applicants undergo a thorough background investigation conducted by a licensed entity, covering criminal history at state, national, and international levels, employment and education verification, immigration status checks, financial history review, and screening against sex offender registries. The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles will be required to provide full database access to law enforcement agencies for these background checks, with strict protocols to protect data privacy. Applicants with serious criminal convictions in the past 10 years (such as violent crimes, sexual offenses, or fraud) may be deemed ineligible for housing programs, though exceptions can be made at the discretion of the administering agency. The Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities will be responsible for implementing the bill, conducting annual compliance audits, and agencies found in violation may face penalties including fines or funding suspension. The bill emphasizes maintaining confidentiality of personal information and compliance with state and federal privacy laws, including international data protection regulations.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1578